The audience usually attends for free (“for free tickets to the _____ show, call…”), but there’s still a lot of overhead. Not only do you need ushers, security, and so on, you need to be filming on a sound stage with a place for the audience.
On the flip side, laugh tracks are easily added in post.
I personally enjoyed (didn’t enjoy) this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKS3MGriZcs
Some of those jokes were actually amusing. I don’t know why they didn’t have a real audience. Most people will come for free just to watch the show.
The audience usually attends for free (“for free tickets to the _____ show, call…”), but there’s still a lot of overhead. Not only do you need ushers, security, and so on, you need to be filming on a sound stage with a place for the audience.
On the flip side, laugh tracks are easily added in post.
real people are unpredictable.
Since real people are watching that would be a good thing.